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NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 (Page 1 of 12)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 11
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,200 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Mercedes-Benz C300 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #224

Apr 032023

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car has been in and out of the shop. Initially I have been contacting Mercedes about airbag messages and continued message of SRS Malfunction on dashboard. Airbags had been recalled and supposedly replaced on multiple occasions. This SRS continues to remain even after repair or being seen for this issue only for other components to have failed and me having to pay for those in the process. The SRS Malfunction remains an issue until the next issue is affected. Recently an entire Electronic SAM Module Component was replaced as the culprit only to have more issues and the SRS remained. Mercedes has contended that each time they saw the vehicle the the SRS Malfunction was not the problems while other documents were repaired such as battery and SAM. In the meantime since then the car has stalled, components that were working are no longer inoperable. There was a recall that was applied to only specific vehicles of my model year which state the SRS Malfunction was to be replaced and made whole. I never received one of those notices and I will note that my vehicle obviously was affected and should also have this component replaced as it fits the same model year and make of the issues Mercedes has repaired already on affected vehicles. This issue has been on going for several years and Mercedes has failed to rectify this component that makes it dangerous and causes safety concerns for us with the understanding that their note on their website about the SRS Malfunction appeared to me a cop out for them to not be responsible for the fix and recall thsr may have affected more vehicles than its originally accessed number. Instead of fixing this issue they continually find other repairs they indicate as the issue only to end up right back with the same SRS Malfunction and stalling issues with vehicle once again and want to use excuse of car's age as issue and failing to acknowledge and address the SRS Malfunction. Your system would not allow file upload. I can still provide

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

problem #223

Mar 132023

C300

  • 171,846 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle a short distance before the vehicle lost motive power again. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated while the vehicle was sitting in the driveway, the vehicle independently started and accelerated. The contact stated that the battery terminals were disconnected. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed wiring harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 171,846.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #222

Nov 072023

C300

  • miles
Car worked fine, all the sudden it wouldn't turn over, I would put the key in and turn it and nothing would happen, I was stuck and had to catch a ride, lucky that I was able, a car company that is supposedly reliable shouldn't allow there cars to completely give out on people during the middle of winter storms and not take ownership, when the customer has taken good care of the car. Talked to several mechanics and turned out it was the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module that had malfunctioned probably due to the software and electrical. Due to this only the Benz dealerships can repair, I had to tow it to a dealership and was charged around $2000 after haggling over the price. Terrible experience and should be recalled by MB, I have seen many complaints about this online and was very disappointed there wasn't a cheaper solution. Was both a safety issue, inconvenient and very costly.

- Alvarado, TX, USA

problem #221

Jun 192022

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Pulled into parking space on side of street and turned off vehicle to pick up restaurant food. Returned to vehicle within 5 minutes, turned the key, and vehicle was dead. 93 year old mother was in car which was now stuck in parking space. We had to open the doors, due to vehicle windows not functioning, to try to prevent inside of car from overheating due to outside temperature. Called AAA, who arrived after about 45 minutes, tried to jump start car, indicated appeared battery was fine. Had to re-contact AAA to get car towed. Waited another 45 minutes for tow truck to arrive. Again checked battery and ignition, battery fine, car was locked in park and steering wheel was locked, . Towing technician had to lift up center console to reach underneath to switch to neutral. Technician had great difficulty getting car onto flatbed of tow truck because it kept slipping back into park. Adding to the difficulty was the location of the car in the parking space on the side of a busy street. Car was towed from Newport, RI to Tiverton, RI to Viti Mercedes dealer, who confirmed the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The final bill to repair this issue was $2,214.15. Upon review of other incidents that occurred with this make, model and year, there have been a myriad of accounts of this same issue going back many years. Based on the numerous incidents of this type and the potential safety devastation this could have caused, the $2,214.15 paid for repair in addition to $55 for towing should be reimbursed. This is a major safety issue that could be detrimental to the driver, occupants, towing company and other people around the disabled vehicle.

- Portsmouth, RI, USA

problem #220

Jan 012018

C300

  • miles
The tail left bulb mount carrier part Number 204-820-15-00-64, one of the terminal in the back, is corroded. Also, one of the cable is burnt. In short, the tail lamp doesn-??t work. It is a hazard problem since it affects the brake signaling, turning signaling and all other tail lamps signaling. For many years, I have read many incidents like this reported from owners like me and Mercedes has done nothing. I cannot use the vehicle in this condition because it is is a safety hazard.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #219

Mar 082022

C300

  • miles
Both headlights wiring harnesses (right and left ) wiring has melted and all wiring is now exposed and touching and causing all light bulbs ( headlights-tail lights-turn signals-brake lights-ect) to be shortage out due to the original wiring not being constructed to resist the heat from the engine and environment.We had MB of Maidland, fl and Elite motors of Ococee, fl to view this issue with the only fix is out-of-pocket repair in the thousands of dollars.i have a neighbor with a MB experiencing similar problems

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #218

May 102021

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

DROVE 4 BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOME TO THE STORE IN MERCED CA ON GST AND 20TH..WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT DIDN'T START AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED.AND I COULDN'T TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS A FEW TIMES THIS LAST MONTH. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2008 c300 ##

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #217

Mar 252021

C300

  • 165,000 miles
I took my car to the Mercedes dealership for an alignment. It is a 2008 C300 series. After they called and said it was done they said that the esl mechanism locked up in the car and completely failed. To this point I have never had an issue with this car, and I have never had it fail. Now they are telling me that it just happens to be one of the worst parts that they have to repair notoriously in these cars. So I called two other dealerships of the same build two other Mercedes dealerships told me the same thing. I looked up in the blog system and found in the national safety records that numerous people have had the same complaint and they have all been filed. Why are we not starting a recall on this because to get my car back what was supposed to be $167 is now $1,267 this is quite a jump for a car I have never had this issue with. They insisted that there is nothing that can be done to repair it and as likely as it is it was bound to happen at any time. So my complaint is what do I need to do to start a recall on this item. I have a hard time with all of the same parts going bad and dealership parties also telling us these are bad parts but I recall has not been initiated. But other ancillary issues have been recalled that are little to no importance however this one at any given moment can lock up your steering wheel and could potential he cause an accident. Is what two dealerships told me of course the one that I am getting repaired would not admit that. Please help us get a recall on this we are at your mercy for the safety of our families driving a Mercedes-Benz car.

- Marion, IN, USA

problem #216

Feb 192021

C300

  • miles
This is the 2nd time this has happened. I turned the car off and came back out and it would not start. The front wheels were locked. The key went in and turned. The lights and power was there but, the car would not start. The front wheels were locked and so was the drive shifter. The first time the car was in a parking lot and my wife was left stranded. The second time was in out driveway. We came home to get something and when we went out it wouldn't start.

- Pepper Pike, OH, USA

problem #215

Sep 242020

C300

  • miles
Noticed a recall for this part

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #214

Apr 102020

C300

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 C300 had the right tail break light + rear right turn signal light error message these few days, I replace the light bulbs which did not fix the problem then I found the brown wire at connector melt badly, I google this issue on the web and found all 2008/2009 mercedez C class has the same issue, can we get a recall to fix it on this ?

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #213

Apr 012020

C300

  • 124,000 miles
Took car in for airbag recall, week later the car wont unlock, had to pay $50 to get in, was told battery had 12.4 amps, car wont turn over, electronic systems not engaging, alarm goes off, replaced battery $160checked fuses and bought $25, nothing now having to tow back to Mercedes Benz of chandler that did my "recalls" out of pocket. The recall service messed it up. The exact thing as in complaint 212.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #212

Dec 262019

C300

  • 112,000 miles
I have a mb C300 2008 the car never had an issue until I brought it in for a airbag recall 2 weeks later I get an SRS malfunction, esp and ABS failure car doesnt turn on next day the car turns on and engine light goes on, then lights stayed on even after car was off next day lights went off while driving in dark making for hazardous and quite scary situation mb is doing these recalls but jeopardizing the overall integrity of car I even replaced battery but this still occurred car was rendered undrivable and stuck in my driveway and had to have it towed and pay $380 just to look at it even though I told them they caused damage there is no way a perfectly running car coincidentally has major electrical issues post recall (they replaced entire stash board and steering wheel cover)

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #211

Oct 092019

C300

  • 151,825 miles
Electrical fault in 2008 C300 Mercedes in front sam module has water intrusion from windshield water drain next to driver side fuse panel/ sam. Water intrusion caused customers vehicle to die while driving and caused esl steering lock to lock steering column and ignition key esi to lose communication with low voltage codes. Dash instrument cluster only comes on when opening the door and BCM becomes active. No response from ignition and driver almost lost control of vehicle when steering locked during malfunction/ power problems. Driver had vehicle towed with steering locked in a left turn. Esm[ewm] - electronic selector module(N15/5) 1 problems exist 1.U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. Ezs - electronic ignition lock(N73) 2 problems exist 1.A10D00 the power supply is too low._ 2.C14600 communication with the central gateway has a malfunction. Driver-side sam - front signal acquisition and actuation module 7 problems exist 1.B215F71 relay 1 ''circuit 15R'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 2.B212171 relay 1 ''circuit 15'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 3.B172B15 the output of the front footwell illumination has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 4.B179715 left standing light 2 has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 5.B126231 a magnetic interference field was detected. 6.B126322 control unit ''N10/1 (front sam control unit with fuse and relay module)'' has received no lin message from component ''compass module''. 7.B127A54 component ''compass module'' is not calibrated. Rear sam - rear signal acquisition and actuation module 2 problems exist 1.B182811 the output for remote trunk opening has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to ground. 2.U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction.

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

problem #210

Jun 022019

C300 6-cyl

  • 142,017 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of South charlotte (950 N polk St, pineville, nc 28134, (704) 837-7955) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering seized and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 142,017.

- Charolette, NC, USA

problem #209

Mar 242019

C300

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving, the SRS warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the horn, headlights, cruise control, and turn signals failed to function. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V081000 and 16V363000 (air bags) and called Mercedes-Benz of augusta (3061 Washington rd, augusta, ga 30907, (706) 860-1111). The contact was informed that she would be placed on a waiting list. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not noticed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

- Agusta, GA, USA

problem #208

Nov 092018

C300

  • 150,000 miles
The els went out. Which I've been told is a very common problem with these cars because of the design of the els

- Magnolia, TX, USA

problem #207

Aug 232018

C300

  • 67,574 miles
My 2008 Mercedes Benz 300C started then shut off in my driveway. I had the car less than 30 days from purchase. I called the dealer and he came and did something to the fuse band it start ed. Next day same thing, started then shut off. I had it towed to my mechanic, it took him two weeks to figure out what was wrong with it. He narrowed it down to the ignition switch. However, he want authorized to access the ignition, so it had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer came back after 2 weeks and said it was the fuel pump. Fine, I paid a little over $1K for the despair. I go to pick it up then I'm told it shut off. This is after a full diagnostic test. Mind you, my mechanic called the rep at Mercedes Benz and told them exactly what the issues was and they ignored it. Fast forward, I tell them in my frustration to go and fix the car. I get a quote of 878, and that they wouldn't charge for labor, parts only. They claim the parts had to be ordered from germany. Two weeks later, a full month and a half of waiting for my car, the dealer tells me the cost is now 1919. Ludicrous! they claim that I needed a key, that my key wasn't working. What? my key was working just fine. The C300 ignition issues are overwhelming and need to be recalled. Buyer beware!

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #206

Oct 092018

C300

  • miles
Takata recall headlights flickering when car is off also headlight randomly go off while driving on highway etc and when lights stay on it drains the car battery

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #205

Sep 222018

C300

  • 125,000 miles
Car will not start after diving. Power from battery is good. Door still lock and unlock. This particluaf brand has issue with electronic steering locking and leaving car mobileless. Cannot place car in neautral for towing.

- Decatur, GA, USA

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